Fortnite lacks true value, longevity

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Since the beginning of its explosive popularity in January, the multiplayer game Fortnite spread through a diverse set of demographics, the likes of which has never been seen by a video game. Since then, one idea has eluded me: the reason for its popularity.

The game has so little content. In an era of games with production values that rival that of a blockbuster movie, why does a game with one mode and unappealing visuals have such an impact on the younger population?

As an example, Monster Hunter World is the most popular game sold this year, selling more than 10 million copies and taking in more than $800 million in revenue for the company as a whole. Comparatively, Fortnite holds 125 million active players, with a total of $165 million in revenue — for a free game, according to IGN.com and Capcom.com.

I can understand that aspect. Fortnite is the most accessible multiplayer game with no price tag other than that of the console you play with. The complete cross-platform allows added flexibility in playing with friends, but that is also the game’s biggest flaw, as the free-to-play nature means major upgrades are nearly impossible.

Fortnite has limited potential, with no changes and improvements to the game save the occasional seasonal event that brings a slight twist or an irrelevant cosmetic update. These purchasable cosmetic changes seem to be the driving point of the game’s continued hype.

That’s the other thing. During the past few years, games have shifted to a marketing strategy of promoting these purchasable cosmetics, or changes to the player’s in-game appearance. The only revenue is from advertisements and from this in-game economy.

The issue is that the game won’t stay that way for long. Eventually, Epic Games is going to realize the financial potential and begin to charge an arbitrary price to continue playing, and people will still play it. That will eventually take away from games that charge an up-front price for more diverse and in-depth content.

People need to realize the difference between this and a more cinematic game. Fortnite lacks so much of what many modern games have that it can’t live up to the same praise as its more intensive counterparts. Appreciate the thousands of hours people put in to create these games that are equivalent to an interactive movie. Don’t just delegate the highest praise to a work like Fortnite. Know not to compare apples to oranges.